trouble finding a place to rent?

[StEt0417]

We are curently in foreclosure and plan on filing Ch.7. We had planned on filing BK earlier but wanted to save money but now we are thinking we should just file now so we can move on with our lives and not have this process draw out any longer.

Anyways i have been calling around for places to rent and everyone I called will not take anyone who is in foreclosure or who has filed BK. Im getting worried but now im thinking we should def move before we file so we can find a place to live.

Has anyone had any trouble finding a place to rent with a foreclosure or after filing Bk?

[frogger]

Look in the newspapers, shoppers, craigs list, etc. Find an independent landlord that is not one of the big complexes and you won't have any problem.

[ryan]

Anyways i have been calling around for places to rent and everyone I called will not take anyone who is in foreclosure or who has filed BK. Im getting worried but now im thinking we should def move before we file so we can find a place to live.

Has anyone had any trouble finding a place to rent with a foreclosure or after filing Bk?

Its hard to believe you've called that many places? ..have you gone to any in person? It wouldn't surprise me if many corporate-owned big apt complexes might not be eager or tell you no, by phone. I'm wondering if a personal visit might get a different reception.

[carlsbadmike]

I found an independent owner on Craigslist who was ok with BK after meeting me in person.

[qsr]

I need to find a place to live before I get evicted (I don't want to have to check that box on my application form.) There's a couple places I liked, but have not discussed the BK7 yet. One is pretty upscale and their forms said "no discharge within a year", and a less high end place said you may just have to pay a higher deposit. I'd definitely like to know I won't get rejected before blowing $35 on apps a few times.

[feelingnutsy]

Hey---qsr---no discharge within a year?---meaning they won't
take anyone who's been discharged from bk within a year of application?

[goodyphilips]

Yes I agree that meeting in person would be far more effective than just calling them.

[cory1848]

I have looked at a number of places such as houses, apartments, etc and not really had any issues with being turned away. They did say they might require a higher deposit but the only thing that stated was that the BK was discharged already. I don't feel the need to mention the foreclosure because we included in in our BK. With that said, what you can find from a private owner or housing management company far outweighs what you can find in an apartment complex with regards to pricing.

[ItsJustMe]

We didn't have any trouble at all. Granted we were only looking well within our price range (about 20% of income) which I'm sure looked good to potential landlords, but every single person I called/emailed (through Craigslist) said that they would at least consider our situation. We ended up deciding between two homes, both of which we went through the background/approval process with. Neither required a higher deposit because of our credit situation. We ended up going with a home that is managed by a company (not independent). I agree that individuals are probably more lenient, but I wouldn't rule out management companies all together.

[ryan]

Some more 'free' advice (you know what that's worth!) on this rental issue:

I would not pour out my life story about one's bad credit on the phone.
Just say you have 'bruised' credit and would they consider your application? You have a steady income and fall well within typical apt guidelines....and say nothing else.

If they are turned off by that benign description, they probably would turn you down in person. So, in those cases move on.

However, when I used that same approach and that same dialogue, 2 out 3 apt places said to come- they thought we could work something out. They also said likely that I would need a higher security deposit. I did not pursue it any further because I was only testing the market for the future when I would need to move (I like to be prepared).

Had I visited the property, I would have built some rapport with the property manager, assessed whether I even liked it, and THEN presented more details of my situation. For best results, it's critical to get the manager INVESTED IN THE PROCESS with YOU.

[tobee43]

We are curently in foreclosure and plan on filing Ch.7. We had planned on filing BK earlier but wanted to save money but now we are thinking we should just file now so we can move on with our lives and not have this process draw out any longer.

Anyways i have been calling around for places to rent and everyone I called will not take anyone who is in foreclosure or who has filed BK. Im getting worried but now im thinking we should def move before we file so we can find a place to live.

Has anyone had any trouble finding a place to rent with a foreclosure or after filing Bk?

we are in florida as well.........i don't know where you are, however, where we are there are so many vacate places...(not in our town, but in surrounding areas)...they have people hanging out in the streets attempting to rent apts and houses....

we rented here PRIOR to our filing.......we did immediately upon making the decision we were going to stop paying our mortgage....that way we had no problems with the credit...and actually....in this area i think if you worked it out with the landlord...ie. a larger CASH deposit..(with giving you a receipt of course).

craigs list is a scary place...i know up north...however, down here we had a ton of luck using it for furniture and other items...we got our rental via a realitor......no problem.

best of luck!!!

[cory1848]

Also in Florida, what I have noticed is that all the Brits are unloading their vacation homes they bought up during the boom. A lot of them are renting them as well. Could be a good option as most are listed with property management companies.

[tobee43]

no....here's why......a couple...one of best friends are Brits......they own two homes here........we have been very close the past year....all of a sudden they announce they are OUT OF here!!!!!!! they went to spain...claiming the our government will not allow to stay....WHAT??? you can get duel citizenship....since they were claiming they would now lose their medical...it made no sense to me.....but they were out here like bats out of hell.

[cory1848]

no....here's why......a couple...one of best friends are Brits......they own two homes here........we have been very close the past year....all of a sudden they announce they are OUT OF here!!!!!!! they went to spain...claiming the our government will not allow to stay....WHAT??? you can get duel citizenship....since they were claiming they would now lose their medical...it made no sense to me.....but they were out here like bats out of hell.

Well that doesn't speak for all of them.

[StEt0417]

[QUOTE=tobee43;505229]we are in florida as well.........i don't know where you are, however, where we are there are so many vacate places...(not in our town, but in surrounding areas)...they have people hanging out in the streets attempting to rent apts and houses....

we rented here PRIOR to our filing.......we did immediately upon making the decision we were going to stop paying our mortgage....that way we had no problems with the credit...and actually....in this area i think if you worked it out with the landlord...ie. a larger CASH deposit..(with giving you a receipt of course).

We are in S. fl but looking to move to the west coast of Fl. We have a lot of vacate houses in our neighborhood too and it seems like they get rented to anyone that can find!

Ok so when we go and visit the houses for rent at what point do you tell them your situation? I just called a couple places on craigslist, I found a lot on there that where managed by compaines and only a few homeowners. Im just wondering how long i should give myself to find a place to rent once we file?